CIF State Northern California Division I Bracket
EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. – Three second half goals helped the fifth-seeded St. Francis soccer team complete a 4-2 upset over Sac-Joaquin Section Division I champion and fourth-seeded Oak Ridge Tuesday night to advance into the semifinals of the CIF State Northern California Division I Regionals.
"I thought the intensity was good," said Head Coach Maryclaire Robinson '86. "They played us aggressive and there is a risk/reward to that strategy. They were playing high risk."
Leading 1-0 after a first-half goal by senior Marli Berry, junior Jackie Stanco was able to run down a ball on the left sideline and cut past her defender to position for a shot, placing the ball in the left corner for a 2-0 lead in the 57th minute. It was her 21st goal of the season.
"At the time we were only leading 1-0 and we were getting some pressure, the goal was able to give us an added advantage," said Stanco.
Oak Ridge (17-3-1), who had not lost since Jan. 29 and had won eight straight entering the contest, did not give in, scoring to cut the lead to 2-1. St. Francis answered right back on a penalty kick goal by junior Mia Solorio-Smith three minutes later for a 3-1 advantage.
"We have been working on PKS a lot so I felt really confident," said Solorio-Smith, who recorded her second postseason goal and sixth of the season.
Senior Lindsey Piatanesi recorded the final insurance goal in the 69th minute, scoring for the second consecutive game to give SF a 4-1 advantage.
"Piat had a goal that was a moment of personal brilliance," said Robinson.
Oak Ridge added late goal to cut the lead to 4-2 but the Troubadours closed it out for the win, the team's 12th straight overall.
The Troubadours took the early lead in the game off Berry's goal, the eighth of the season and third in the postseason for the Howard University commit. It came off a deep free kick by junior Jane Gregory that found Berry for the header 10 yards in front of the goal.
St. Francis goalie Kim Riley had a key save in the first half with eight minutes remaining that preserved the lead at the time, completing the shutout over the first half.
"It definitely could have turned the momentum in the game if they had scored then," said Riley. "That is why I play soccer to make saves like that."
Top-seed Clovis North was upset No. 8 seed Carondelet, giving the Troubadours a semifinal home game on Thursday at 4 p.m. The Troubies advance to the CIF State NorCal semifinal round for the second consecutive season. No. 2 Monte Vista defeated No. 7 Saint Francis (Mountain View) 1-0 and No. 3 Archbishop Mitty handed No. 6 Berkeley a 1-0 to setup the second semifinal on Thursday.
Tickets/Admission Charges
Rounds I & II - March 3 & 5
General Admission - $9.00
Children (5+)/Students (ASB card)/Seniors (65+) - $5.00
